The NHS has revealed 18 items that it's set stop or restrict from being made available for prescription.

Among the treatments that could banned are homeopathy, herbal treatment, vitamins, co-proxamol and omega-3 oils.

It's part of a £141million cost-cutting measure by the health service's boss, and will see GPs stopped writing prescriptions for 'low-priority' items, reports The Mirror .

As well as revealing the blacklisted or severely restricted items, thousands more over-the-counter products could soon be restricted, and NHS England has begun a consultation process on that next stage.

Here are the items that are affected, and the ones that could be in the near future

These 7 treatments are set to be BLACKLISTED

NHS England have now ruled that these treatments should "no longer be routinely prescribed" - and essentially "blacklisted". The Department for Health will have the final say on them.

Homeopathy: Because there is "no clear or robust evidence" it works, NHS bosses say. Prescriptions for the alternative therapy were was costing the health service in England £92,000 a year.

Herbal treatments: Again, there is "no clear or robust evidence" to support their use. These cost the NHS £100,000 a year.

Homeopathic remedies (Image: Getty Images)

Omega-3 fish oils: NHS chiefs rules these can be obtained through diet and are of "low clinical effectiveness". They currently cost £6.3m a year.

Co-proxamol: A painkiller which has had its marketing authorisation withdrawn due to safety concerns. It had cost the NHS £9m a year.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin: Supplements prescribed for pain associated with osteo arthritis , but the NHS ruled they are of "low clinical effectiveness". Annual cost of £444,000.

Vitamin A, C, E and zinc: When used for age-related macular degeneration, something that had been costing £1.5m a year.

Rubefacients: Warming muscle rub products that are said to relieve pain for various conditions, but the NHS says there is limited evidence they work. Currently cost £4.3m. Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) items such as Ibuprofen and Diclofenac are still available.

Read More

These 11 treatments are set to be RESTRICTED

NHS England has recommended severe restrictions on these products - some would no longer be routinely prescribed, but in some cases there may be exceptions. The Department of Health has the final say.

Travel vaccines: Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Meningitis A, Yellow Fever, Tick-borne encephalitis, Rabies and TB vaccines shouldn't be given if they are "exclusively for travel". The ban will not apply to other "appropriate" uses. Current spend: £4.5m.

(Image: PA)

Trimipramine: An antidepressent that is "significantly more expensive" than others. Current spend £19.8m.

Dosulepin: Formerly known as dothiepin, an antidepressant that carries warnings of toxicity and cardiac arrest. Current spend £2.6m.

Prolonged-release Doxazosin: A hypertension drug that NHS chiefs say cost six times an alternative immediate-release version. Current spend £7.8m.

Immediate-release Fentanyl: A strong opioid painkiller where the NHS says cheaper alternatives are available. This ban will not apply to people undergoing palliative care. Current spend £10.9m.

Lidocaine plasters: Used for pain relief for people recovering from shingles but of "low clinical effectiveness". This ban will not apply to certain patients, though. Current spend £19.3m.

Liothyronine: A drug used for patients with an underactive thyroid. This ban will not apply to some with thyroid cancer or those for whom a cheaper alternative doesn't work. Current spend £34.8m.

Oxycodone and Naloxone combination: Used to treat severe pain and can also be used second line in restless legs syndrome. But NHS says it is "unclear" what benefit the more expensive combination product adds. Current spend: £5m.

Paracetamol and Tramadol combination: Two pain relief medicines. NHS says there are no clear benefits of a combined product rather than taking each separately which is cheaper. Current spend £2m.

Perindopril Arginine: An 'ACE inhibitor' used for heart failure, hypertension and other conditions. An alternative version is cheaper. Current spend £529,000.

Once Daily Tadalafil: An erectile dysfunction drug. NHS chiefs say it should be prescribed "when required" instead. Current spend £11.5m.

These thousands of everyday products COULD be banned too

NHS chiefs want to go further. They're consulting on plans to stop thousands of cheaper, over-the-counter products being prescribed on the NHS if they are used for short-term or low-level conditions.

Got a story or an issue you want us to investigate? Want to tell us about something going on where you live? Let us know - in complete confidence - by emailing newsdesk@men-news.co.uk, calling us on 0161 211 2323, tweeting us @MENnewsdesk or messaging us on our Facebook page . You can also send us a story tip using the form here .